New Delhi, India (CU)_ External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India is eager to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) after overcoming the political obstacles that are detrimental to the global interest. During an event organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to commemorate eight years of the Narendra Modi administration, Jaishankar revealed this to the foreign diplomatic corps based in India. He said, “Strengthening a rules-based order is a natural inclination of a polity like India. We value all opportunities to contribute to it”.
According to Mr. Jaishankar, India’s membership and deep involvement in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Australia Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement are of great importance. These organizations are all multilateral export control regimes. Mr Jaishankar said, “As a nation with a substantial nuclear industry, we also look forward to joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group, overcoming the political impediments that are against global interest”.
In addition to helping the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the 48-member NSG is an elite club of nations dealing with the trade of nuclear technology and fissile materials. China’s vehement opposition to India’s NSG request is mainly based on the fact that New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Since the NSG operates on the concept of agreement, China’s opposition has made India’s membership problematic.
Additionally, Mr. Jaishankar also outlined India’s foreign policy goals. He said, “The India that you live in and report on is obviously different from the one before. It has development as its focal point, whether at home or in foreign policy. It is a daily proof that democracies can deliver”. He added, “Its human development indices improve constantly, even as it rises to meet unprecedented challenges. This is a polity with an enhanced popular participation in its decision making and greater authenticity in its expressiveness. It is one that harmonizes its national interests with its international obligations. Appropriately, as India celebrates 75 years of independence, it seeks to do so with the world”.
